Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Oct 28: Former US President Barack Obama was reportedly displeased when former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi swiftly endorsed Kamala Harris less than 24 hours after Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race.

According to journalist Jonathan Karl’s upcoming book Retribution, Obama called Pelosi shortly after her endorsement went public, expressing frustration that she had broken what he believed was a mutual understanding to “let a process play out” before backing any candidate.

“The Obamas were not happy,” a Pelosi confidant told Karl, adding that one insider summed up Obama’s reaction with, “What the f–k did you just do?”

Pelosi had publicly praised Harris as “brilliantly astute” and expressed full confidence in her ability to defeat Donald Trump, effectively breaking an informal agreement between the two Democratic heavyweights. Karl writes that both Obama and Pelosi had initially agreed Harris should not receive the nomination uncontested due to Obama’s doubts about her electability.

However, once Biden endorsed Harris, Pelosi reportedly told Obama, “That train has left the station.”

While sources described the exchange as “good-natured ribbing” rather than a heated argument, insiders from Pelosi’s camp said Obama sounded “genuinely irritated.”

Karl notes that Obama waited five days after Biden’s exit to publicly endorse Harris, while Pelosi acted within a day, helping cement Harris’s status as the presumptive Democratic nominee.

Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, was reportedly taken aback by her quick decision. “Kamala?” he asked, to which Pelosi retorted, “Don’t start with me.”

Ultimately, Karl writes that Pelosi felt she had little choice, as Democratic leaders — including Bill and Hillary Clinton, and governors Josh Shapiro and Gavin Newsom — rallied behind Harris almost immediately. “No other candidates had stepped forward,” Karl adds. “Kamala Harris was it — the only thing Pelosi could do was try to help her win.”